Island Dreamscape

A reimagined outdoor haven on Fox Island.

Osterville’s Fox Island is a one-of-a-kind oasis with exceptional views of the marshlands, rivers, bays, and vast expanse of the ocean beyond. On the island—which is occupied by just four residences—this 7-acre estate blends luxury and functionality throughout its transformed landscape, designed by Sudbury Design Group and maintained by Joyce Landscaping.

What once stood as a raw stretch of land with an aging structure, the property was reimagined as an all-encompassing family retreat designed for leisure, relaxation, and entertainment. “The first step of the process was diving into the functionality of the outdoor spaces, and learning how the clients were planning to use them,” says Mike Coutu, President of Sudbury Design Group. 

A pool house, complete with a bathroom and changing area, seamlessly integrates with an outdoor kitchen, pool, spa, and seating areas. Just steps away, a tennis court, barn, and putting green complete the outdoor recreation space. “The key was to incorporate lots of gathering spaces that could each function independently,” says Coutu. From intimate gathering spots to sprawling entertainment areas, the property caters to every occasion, with strategically placed plantings and hardscape elements delineating each zone. 

Although the idyllic result speaks for itself, the permitting process posed unique challenges, as Fox Island fell under local conservation restrictions. “As beautiful as the natural surroundings are, they needed to be protected,” says Coutu. “That was an integral part of the design.” The team navigated these hurdles with finesse, implementing mitigation measures to protect the island's precious ecosystems. Protective plantings, carefully selected to complement the natural surroundings, create a buffer zone between the developed areas and the protected wilderness, ensuring minimal impact on the environment.

“It’s a beautiful property with different elevation changes,” says Chris Joyce, President of Joyce Landscaping. “Preserving the natural topography helped to enhance the landscape.” Joyce Landscaping lent their expertise to soften the hardscapes with lush, vibrant plantings including multi-flora roses, traditional hydrangeas, ornamental grasses, inkberry, roses, linden trees, boxwood, and lowbush blueberries. To add a touch of rustic charm, finely crafted AZEK fences and gates were provided by Walpole Outdoors. The hardscape features include a pea stone driveway, fieldstone accents, and barefoot-friendly imported granite decking. The crisp white pergola, extending from the main house, offers a shaded sanctuary to enjoy sunset views over the bay on the west-facing terrace. With a refined mix of hardscape and softscape, this timeless landscape design provides dedicated areas to enjoy every facet of the natural beauty of Fox Island. 

(Landscape Architect: Sudbury Design Group, Landscape Contractor: Joyce Landscaping, Photography: Dan Cutrona)